A Call to Darkness - Michael Jan Friedman [68]
Riker realized that he’d been so enthralled by Fong’s theoretical constructs-so absorbed in the historical forces that may have shaped the present-day Klah’kimmbri-that he’d lost sight of their goal momentarily.
On the other hand, time taken to better understand an adversary was time well spent.
“Well,” said Fong, in answer to Troi’s question, “if everything I’ve described so far is more than just speculation-and if Mister Data’s right about these battles being prearranged-then there must be some pretty sophisticated facilities coordinating all this activity. Say, one in each geographical area where the battles take place.” He laid his hands out on the table. “It’s possible that each such facility would have information on the placement of off-worlders assigned to its zone. What kind of role they were given-warrior, wagon driver or whatever else-and their physical point of entry.”
Merriwether was nodding. “If there were such places, we could probably isolate them on the basis of our existing scanner readings. By looking at concentrations of electronic activity in each battle zone, since the rest of the zone should be pretty much empty in that respect.”
Fong picked up again as soon as Merriwether paused. “But the only way to get at that information, sir, is in person. Someone has to beam down and access their computer files.”
Riker didn’t accept that conclusion at face value. He didn’t like the idea of placing additional personnel in jeopardy. But the more he thought about it, the more he thought Fong might be right. To win this pot, they might have to up the ante.
And he did have this disease breathing down his neck. Patience was no longer an applicable virtue.
“What did you have in mind?” he asked Fong.
“First,” said the security officer, “we have to establish which part of A’klah’s surface we were aligned with when the away team was spirited off. That will give us some idea of where to start looking. Then we locate the nearest battle zone and-maybe using Merriwether’s idea-determine whether or not there is a control center. If there is, we send a small team of security people down to the surface.”
“Along with a couple of engineers,” Merriwether amended. “To figure out the Klah’kimmbri computers-they’re bound to be different from ours.”
Fong nodded in deference to the engineering officer. “With a couple of engineers, then.” He turned to Riker. “And, sir-I volunteer to lead the team.”
The first officer felt a little twinge. Yet another away team without him at the head of it. This time, there was no one to overrule him if he decided to go-but there were too many reasons for him to stay. With the captain gone, he was the only experienced executive officer left to the Enterprise. And with all that was going on, he didn’t want to leave her in less than experienced hands.
Nor did the irony of the situation escape him. For once, it was Riker who was indispensable. More clearly than ever before, he understood how the captain felt as team after team beamed down without him. The word that seemed most appropriate was stuck.
On the other hand, there were a few problems to be resolved before an away mission could take place. Problems that were occurring to him only now.
“We seem to be putting the cart before the horse,” he said. “What happens when the Klah’kimmbri realize that someone’s tampering with one of their control centers? The first thing they’re going to do is regenerate that mantle of theirs. Suddenly, even if you find what you’re looking for, there’s no way we can beam you back up-or anyone else, for that matter. You may be able to send the information through to us, but we won’t be able to do anything about it.”
“What if we got in and out before we were noticed?” suggested Merriwether.
Riker shook his head from side to side. “There are too many ways that you could be detected. Unless you were extremely lucky, you’d never be quick enough to…”
“Sir?”
It was Data who’d spoken. Riker swiveled in his direction, giving him implicit permission